Notices
Garage & Workshop Tips & Ideas for the garage or workshop. No Truck Tech Discussion   

Air Impact Guns

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 18, 2004 | 01:14 PM
  #1  
AYoungblood's Avatar
AYoungblood
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
From: Warren, MI
Air Impact Guns

I know there are a ton of Mr. Goodwrenches in here so..

What is a good air impact gun? Im looking to spend around 50-150 and want it to be new. So a local shop or ebay would be best (ebay would be best actaully).

It will be from home use, so it will see light maybe 2-6 times a month.

There is one on ebay called a "Air cat", it boasts 1000 ft/lbs and is only 139 bucks... any good?

Thanks guys!

Adam
 
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2004 | 02:26 PM
  #2  
SSCX2's Avatar
SSCX2
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Actually aircats are very good impacts and just happen to be very quiet. For home use I dont think you would need a 1/2in gun but I may be wrong. The 3/8's gun would be better. Also you might take a look at Sears/Lowels for IR impacts. If your willing to spend a bit more Snap On has a nice electric impact that is very nice to have around the house.
 
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2004 | 06:05 PM
  #3  
grease monkey's Avatar
grease monkey
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 759
Likes: 0
From: Omaha
You want a 3/8 drive if you have a mack truck in the driveway then I would say the 1/2 inch drive.
 
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2004 | 07:06 PM
  #4  
stevef100s's Avatar
stevef100s
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 0
From: Destin/Ft. Walton Beach,
I don't agree. A lug nut holding a wheel on is pretty tough sometimes to remove. I have a 350 ft/lb 1/2" drive impact, and I still have to break them loose with a breaker bar sometimes. To work on a Mack truck, you would use a 3/4" impact. I've aalso had transmission bellhousing bolts that required a 1/2" impact to remove. The only thing I use a 3/8" impact for, is quick disassembly of engines and such.
 
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2004 | 07:22 PM
  #5  
titanicf150's Avatar
titanicf150
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Southwest Montana
There are a couple of those aircats in our shop....good guns. Anything made by Ingersol including the snapon varient.
 
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2004 | 07:41 PM
  #6  
dr jag's Avatar
dr jag
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: ottawa ontario canada
1/2 inch is the best gun for evryday use but keep away from the engine bay, i have a cp that sees brake jobs and suspension work everyday for the last 5 years, good price and really quiet. for work in the engine bay and pretty much everywhere else i use my 3\8 or 1\4 drive air ratchet also nice and quite. 1000 ft pounds just isn't needed in most applications and you'd probably find yourself breakin alot of stuff. some people seem to think that if it makes alot of noise it's gotta be good but that is not the case. i work in a shop with 30 other guys and there's nothing more anoying than when i'm upside down under a dash listening for a squeak and the guy across from me starts ratling away on a rusty
nut for 5 minutes. than he gives up and comes over and borrows mine to break it loose.

dr jag
 
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2004 | 07:57 PM
  #7  
Monster 78 F-150 4X4's Avatar
Monster 78 F-150 4X4
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 551
Likes: 0
From: Norton Ohio
Ingersoll 2135 titanum are awesome 1000 ft lbs peak in reverse but your looking $250 but well worth it
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2004 | 12:55 AM
  #8  
Hangfire's Avatar
Hangfire
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Snap On IM31 for 3/8 and a IM5100 for 1/2 both are nicely balanced and have plenty of power.

 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

 Brett Foote
story-2

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-7

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 19, 2004 | 09:37 AM
  #9  
mtascill's Avatar
mtascill
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Canton MI
I"ve been using the IR 2131 for years and never been dissapointed though it runs a bit higher than the range you quoted. One other place to check out is at Kitts Industrial Tools on 8 Mile. They have a good selection of CP and IR and their prices have made them worth the trip for most of my air tool shopping.
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2004 | 10:12 AM
  #10  
Sberry27's Avatar
Sberry27
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 483
Likes: 1
I dont know anything about air cat, if it works, great. Many cheaper air tools work well if they are rotary. Stuff that goes bang bang like impacts and chisels dont seem to hold up well. I have both IR and CP and I like the CP727 I just got. Very good, great power and was just under 200. That Ingersol that was mentioned here 2131 has a very good reputation.
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2004 | 05:49 PM
  #11  
kshaw's Avatar
kshaw
Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Gaithersburg
Ir 231c

I have an IR 231C (1/2 inch) which I bought new off Ebay for $77. Regular price is over $100. I love it. The Earthquake that Harbor Freight sells has a better specs and that one is tempting too.
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2004 | 06:58 PM
  #12  
kindstranger's Avatar
kindstranger
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by kshaw
I have an IR 231C (1/2 inch) which I bought new off Ebay for $77. Regular price is over $100. I love it. The Earthquake that Harbor Freight sells has a better specs and that one is tempting too.
I've seen this model, and I have been tempted to lay down the cash for it. Has anyone else have experience with this wrench?
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2004 | 10:07 PM
  #13  
keith w's Avatar
keith w
Fleet Mechanic
20 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 0
I have an IR Thunder Gun (232TGSL). I like it, and it sounds cool
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2004 | 10:49 PM
  #14  
fixnair's Avatar
fixnair
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 3
From: Sapulpa OK
Club FTE Gold Member
Best bet for the money is the I/R 231. Inexpensive and bulletproof. Used mine for about 10 Years now.
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2004 | 11:27 PM
  #15  
Hangfire's Avatar
Hangfire
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by fixnair
Best bet for the money is the I/R 231. Inexpensive and bulletproof. Used mine for about 10 Years now.
Even though I own S-O impact wrenches, I've noticed a lot of the pro tire changers use the IR231...
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:15 PM.

story-0
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

Slideshow: 10 ways Ford is losing to the competition

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 09:52:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

Some great targets in today's expensive world.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 09:35:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-4
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE